M_C

I’ve been catching gip for the Japanese 4cyl in my new toy so I imagine Jackson will have a coronary if Elliot drops a rotor in his escort. Especially when he passes him with it! Hmmmmm, but I do see the temptation when they sound a crisp as yours.…

Shame no pics of full carpark and great cars. Was good night. Had to smile at rotorhoe being swamped for bonnet up perv and engine start. Hope not too much drool was left.

Shaneo has the part number and details for the LSD centre he got after some research. Ended up a good price.

I was super keen to drive the RumblingRedRocket down to the OldSchool meet tonight as it would be the first time I have made it in one of my cars. Can anyone see where this is going yet… Buuuuuut on checking her out last night and about to swap out weeping water pump I found the crack in the engine mount had not got better by itself and seemed not to like several (read Lots of) ponies pushing past it. Bottom two bolts are now completely separate and the top bolt I can easily reach is backing itself out. Hmmmm, not quite the ideal situation to be driving on. Closer examination shows a cunning fabrication of the alternator mount included in the engine mount and now it is coming apart the top alternator bracket and belt is trying to hold the engine in place also doing not so good things to the water pump. The top alternator bracket has given up again and this seems to be the root cause of the issues we had over GumBoot and in now way any reflection of the quality of Bmac’s superb welding fix. It has also allowed the sump to get up close and jiggy with steering rack. So now car is parked up so I can pull out and strengthen the engine mount, put new water pump in, pack radiator slightly forward so I can somehow get engine another 3mm forward for a bit of clearance on sump. And that is just the critical list. I have already got a further page list of fettling I would like to do. Very thankful I made it home with no worries! Seems the car has a good heart and looking after me with few warning signs and not throwing any major tanties. Alternative endings to the story if the car was not quite so sweet would result in a very unhappy face.

Shaneo's sport spotted in a typical pose suckling some jungle juice and about to put grins on his face.

Don't think I can resist skids, on skid pan of course. Why no skids with torsen centre?

With my new superpowered toy I am on the look out for a proper LSD for more drivability. From earlier Lock diff horror/win stories thread I have copied some bits talking about how tightened preload on standard hilux LSD's are not the last word, or perhaps even a decent word on LSD and the super tight diff in at the moment is great for powering through corners, but not so flash with light throttle as the long drive in the country uncovered with the back end occasionally getting a skip on and corners being taken in bites. After a bit of fettling and another tune I should be pushing around +180rwkw and attempting to get this onto the road as opposed as into smoke. The car will get a bit of a work out on tracks and hill climbs etc as well as road driving. What sort of LSD centre would you guys recommend? What sort of prices are they? Where does one procure something like this? Cheers

Thanks Yeah, very good build. I came back from weekend with a longer list of fettling I would like to do. Long term maybe cage and track this and turn the green car into nice street classic. No point having a road car faster than the race car... For now just happy to have car with WOF. BSP has jumped the ditch hence I could pick up the car, Not sure what he is up to now. Should have paid more attention to the starlet rally car, I had already seen it on the forum and would have been good to see it live.

What a legend weekend! Big thanks to Andy and his crew for organizing it. More big thanks for Billy for reasons explained below and to the guys who made it such a great event. Prestart sledging and LeMans start preparation Rolling south OOoh, that’s not a graceful pose. Hope he can get out of that before the heavens open or we start, which ever is sooner. I should not hassle too much as I needed a bump start after the briefing as little taste of the days entertainment… Stranded 3km from the start when a nut of Billy’s brand spanking new carb decided to jump ship. Engineering side of Hamilton shut down so we ended up rummaging through a friendly mechanics spare nut and bolt pile in the corner of the workshop. Then was TripleR’s turn to play up when trying to leave the mechanics. She would not idle and alternator belt was protesting leaving us 1km around the corner and helpfully directly outside Maccas. Issue ended up being not enough electrical energies and broken alternator bracket. Billy to the rescue this time with a nice contact for and welding and persuasion we were rolling again after adding a new bigger battery as well. Topping up at gas station on way out of the Tron we noticed some incontinence from TripleR. Will we never escape the Tron!!!??? This resulted in tools out again and close call with a local. Not particularly tight alternator belt had upset the water pump shaft seal and luckily it settled down after taking a little tension off. This meant we needed another stop here for commiseration supplies as we were now 2-3 hours behind the field. Cracks were not appearing in the team moral as wheel bearings were inspected at Waihi while the others enjoyed themselves on some Coromandel roads. Repco call sourced 1 wheel bearing in Whakatane and triage rules dictated LHS would be done at lunch Sun when we rolled through as it was on the route anyway. And then the gang arrived and we were back in! Yay, we found a clue that the others missed! Photos became forgotten as beers then whisky came to the fore and a great night was had. Only managed to get a shot of the custom leaf resetting and tyre warming JamieJamSandwitch in the back of Doug’s sons little BionicSmurf 4dr escort as our sober driver ferried us the unwalkable 1km distance back to the motel for more debriefing over wee drams. Suffice to say it was hilarious and we were glad it wasn’t much further… Service/sledging park at Repco Whakatane before we were into some Fantastic quiet back roads. Run boys, it a modern and going the wrong way! Rare moment behind leading Targa prepped and rapidly peddled van. Also rare moment where vibrations and firm suspension didn’t spoil photo as well as finger selection on navman screen… Cheshire cat grins after another back road spank from said rapid van. Escort gang gathering at checkpoint on route. Line up of tasty things outside Rotovagas Bionic Smurf seems to have recovered from the evenings festivities and is in its accustomed position hounding the back of Shaneo’s much higher spec ride… Another scenic rest stop/check point at dead cat hill. Then my camera was exhausted. Bad timing as we came across a modern broken down with attractive lass in summer dress elbow deep working on it. So it wasn’t only old fords being fettled on the trip, Honset! Trying to source photo now from other cameras… Gathering at Karapiro of some very happy and very tired GumBooters. Oh, there were some moderns too but couldn’t be bothered getting pics for them. Very happy with TripleR and glad to have some mates and tools for the big shakedown run. The only tool box we didn’t dip into was the battery drill. Boost was rather handy for overtaking. Just had to have two hands on steering wheel…

Yes, car came from Rotorua. I haven't seen the build thread on it though. Does anyone know of it? Possibly, the brother mentioned he had a rally starlet but not details. They were good petrol head guys so is most likley.

This week has been a made rush getting ready for GumBoot Rally. First on agenda was WOF, very little fettling needed of a gear knob that is actually attached as it will be getting a bit of manhandling, an interior mirror (Thanks Heath!) and good look over resulted in a nice pass, Yay! Then the list was worked through: Find traction and brakes. Very important. Boost reduced from InsanoLevel 11 where I might not have made it back from this weekend. No I am not exaggerating… I have dyno sheet for previous “lower” tune of 184.7kW + 761Nm at 21.7psi. Current tune is supposed to be 201kW. Needs map checked on dyno and engine mount showing signs of stress replaced before track run at Full Monty. Oh, and some VeryBraveUndies need to be found. Now boosting around 10psi feels almost pedestrian. Must…Resist…More…Boost. After changing several sets of tyres reluctantly settled back on old mags + new tyres and alignment resulting in a much better ride. The steering doesn’t shimmy at 90km/hr like a crack addict coming down and goes in straight line. Brake balance sorted and now actually stops well. That’s a bit important too. Just another late night fettling session Change all fluids. Gearbox gave up some pastel green oil and swarf in the nonmagnetic sump bung but seems happier. Diff bung also had assorted metal on it but needs sorting anyway. Pulled the front strut out to get my Bilsteins in. Only to find they don’t fit. Good news though as the struts are full group 4 spec and a Very Nice piece of kit. I need a larger nut to hold the top of the insert to the strut and a sleeve. Ah well, bolt it all back in. check disk run out and spacing etc. Put a mean little alarm system in, details of which will not be posted up for obvious reasons. Plus lots of minor details like bolting the boot latch back on, installing an accessory socket for GPS as we will be out in the boondocks with GumBoot, temporarily patching crack in intake plenum, clamping handbrake cable away from driveshaft, new wipers etc. So mission critical list completed. Phew Will tackle next list a little slower as I think my lovely wife would like to see me a little next week. Much Excited for weekend!

It wines like a spoiled brat wanting a new toy. Shifts OK(ish) Hope it lasts the weekend and a bit more. Oil change seems to have done it good even though it wasn't flash harry oil.

Supra gearbox (W58??) alloy case with ribs. Hilux diff. Needs some big gear... Needs a new gearbox too. Draining the oil last night revealed some pastel green oil which was interesting, but also some lovely bits of swarf. Darn. Are Supra gearbox's worth rebuilding? Any good source for one?

So once harmony was restored at home the mad rush began to bolt the suspension back onto two escorts already blocking the drive so they were moveable so I can get TripleR sorted out. High on the list was sorting boost, traction and brakes. When checking the car out the advice was to put it into 3rd before sticking the boot in it at 60, oh, OK. Que 3,500rpm boost and FARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRk!!!!!! Can someone please let Captain Kirk know that Scotty has misplaced his spare warp drive under the hood of an unassuming little escort? This thing is hysterically fast on full boost. Matched by puckeringly bad brakes. Nothing nothing, lock up... Videos posted on discussion explain the traction issue quite well... The tires are dead. They served well, RIP. I hear a new dwarf planet has been found and added to the solar system. I wonder if it is as big as these? Picture does not really do it justice. The 15" minilights I just bought do not fit over the brakes... So why doesn't it stop? Partly dead tires. Rear brake pressure also shut right down. Maybe also related to videos? Balance bar adjustment was not adjusting as missing lock nut. Dialling up some rear brakes and putting my Mk1 wheels on it found some traction. Also looks legend on steels: Bugga, the steels have a few issues. Don't really clear the brakes, but of guard rub on rear at bump stops, and found they are buckled when trying to balance and get alignment. Must have been hitting the rumble strips a bit hard at Hampton. Maybe that is what that marshal signal meant? So another late night mission and back on mags but better tires. Little interior shot with some goodies peaking out.

Ah, those videos would explain why the tyres are dead and have the grip like a pig on a frozen pond. (Legal disclaimer, videos were taken before I had even seen the car, let alone bought it.)

Was/is part of the plan, but she is fully certed and almost good to go. List of fettling being worked through madly before GumBoot this weekend. The car is FULL of kit so would like to swap it all over. But that is quite a bit of work. Also would need to seam weld, strengthen and cage the Mk1 or it would not last long. Going to run it for a while and get it sorted so the change over is a long term thing.

Build //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/43078-m-cs-mk2-escort-of-boost/?p=1301384 Dicsuss away...

So keeping an eye out for a new engine for Green machine I came across this. Headed over with some cash and managed to get it. It came bolted onto this... So now I have a new TOY. Yes capital letters as it has rather a few nice bits in it... My lovely wife was somewhat unimpressed at another escort being dragged home, particularly when I only told her late on the afternoon that she was supposed to be going out on girls night and I was to be on kiddy duties and added to the 2 weeks of garage gorging to get another escort ready for the GumBoot Rally. Hmmmm. But it was worth it! The little Kraken has been pushed onto the back burner as she has been properly superseded by TripleR. The name DogBox was considered, but this really would put me in trouble. Let’s not go into detail, but the home front is rosy and I have a bigger smile on my face. I worked out very quickly I needed to put a ring on Shannon’s ringer after first meeting her. Dicsuss //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/43079-m-cs-mk2-escort-of-boost/?p=1301390

So the engine dilemma has been solved by buying this little forged and forced beastie And it came bolted to this…

I had the boys over last night to help with the secret squirrel project and was hit with a stinging (and accurate) riposte that I have been doing more posts on my car than actual work on my car…. I answer to your cheeky jibe Shaneo I have been working hard on my car recently! It was hard work buying these And these… Nice celica gearbox to (hopefully) suit pinto and near new 15” 5 stud minilights. I couldn’t resist the mags even though they are only 6” wide. Now I just need a pinto!

Nice Work! What sort of times were you doing?

So after an interesting conversation with a mate who had been on the receiving end of a large rear end punt I bought one of these. The in car video from a few cars back was interesting watching as the little escort pirowetted through the air.. His neck would have been broken over the back of the seat if his helmet had not hit the diagonal brace on the roll cage at the right moment and bounced it back... Hmmmm, I dont think I like the sound of that. He recommended the ears to contain your helmet rattling round and hopefully keep spinal cord intact in worst case scenario so I grabbed a buy now an new KW seat from TM. Some progress has been made on the engine front. I have bought a celica gearbox with pinto bellhousing so now I can return the borrowed celica box and essex bellhousing and put in an angry pinto. Theory being a angry pinto is more suited to thrashing, will reduce (slightly) the weight out in the nose of the car and keep me in the classic arena so parable with garage mates and still elegable for Classic Trials. I just need an angry pinto now... WIll put up wanted listing. Anyone want an essex with run big end bearing plus stripped donor motor in pretty good condition? Hey! Wait, what is that car in the background...?

Just seen your anglia purchase. Starting a collection? You are going to need a bigger garage..

Nice to see some action on it. What are the plans?

A little more progress. Smurfette sold to guy with big smile coming back from the dark side of turboed moderns. Sad to see her go, but went to good home. Looking forward to seeing her progress. Stripped down the donor v6 for inspection. First time I have ever pulled an engine fully apart. Pretty sure I can get it to go again. Spot the rust flakes coming out all over the floor. Not sure that is supposed to happen? Must be weight loss program as goodness know it could do with it...